Saying Goodbye to the Light

[Christine Montgomery]

Christine nodded still slightly wary, it was in her nature after what happened with M, but she gave Bella a smile all the same. Bella had helped her, trained her, when everyone else ignored her. She owed the woman for that.

She wasn't sure what potential she had that Bella was talking about, but she wondered what exactly he was seeing in her.

"Of course. Sorry I suppose I'm still a little shy in social situations these days."

[Bellatrix Black]

Bella scrunched her mouth up to one side as she sighed. "I should have known that, bloody hell this was stupid of me. I was just so excited for you to meet him." Actually, the opposite was true. Bellatrix was excited for Voldemort to meet Christine, to see how devoted Bella was to the cause and to his pleasure.

She looked over at her master. "Isn't he amazing?" she asked Christine, almost dreamily. Lord Voldemort was charismatic and exuded a sense of well-earned confidence. It was undeniable from the first moment one met him.

[Christine Montgomery]

Christine, who came from a family of both love matches in addition to smart matches, tilted her head at Bella's look of adoration for the man who was clearly not her fiance. She understood affairs were the norm in her society, but she was a little surprised at Bella.

She turned her attention toward Voldemort who was seemingly at ease and all things charm with the other two 'friends' of Bella's.

"He seems very sure of himself." Christine said with a tone of admiration.

[Bellatrix Black]

"With good reason," Bellatrix insisted, completely unaware that her true feelings for the man were evident to Christine. "Honestly, he has so much to offer. And if there were ever anyone who could turn this messed up world right side up again, it would be him. It's scary how immoral society has become, but he can make wizarding Britain great again."

[Christine Montgomery]

Perhaps Christine was being overly wary in this new and uncertain situation, but Bella's fanaticism had never struck Christine as being this odd before. Truthfully Christine was guilty of more or less selectively hearing Bella's words. She paid attention to instructions and lessons, but when Bella would rant Christine tuned her out.

With the other two recruits occupied, Voldemort made his way toward what he considered to be the real prize, "You ladies seem far removed." he said gently teasing. It was a different man than Bella had been familiar with. This was not the cold removed Dark Lord whose mercurial moods could shift quicker than the wind blowing. This was a warm, congenial, open man who seemingly had nothing to hide.

[Bellatrix Black]

His ability to shift between soft and hard around her was well understood by Bellatrix. He could be sweet and seductive with her, making her knees weak and her heart melt. H could also be strong and demanding when she displeased him or when they were in the presence of onlookers. So it struck Bellatrix as odd that she was surprised by his demeanor now.

"We were merely chatting," she replied sweetly. 

[Christine Montgomery]

He nodded, "Bella my dear, would you mind if I spoke to Miss Montgomery alone for a moment? I wouldn't want to leave my other guests unattended, and I have yet to introduce myself." he smiled softly.

Christine looked between Bella and the man whose name she had yet to learn. She wasn't sure she wanted to be alone with him, but his presence was certainly thrilling.

[Bellatrix Black]

Bellatrix thought nothing of the request and nodded. "Of course," she said as she stared into her master's eyes. She quickly looked to Christine and smiled, then turned and made her way to where Arnold and Fiona were talking.

[Christine Montgomery]

Christine was hesitant at first, but soon conversation became easy. Tom, as he had introduced himself, was really quite knowledgeable, and her curiosity overcame her hesitancy.

Time passed quickly, and it was becoming apparent that the two only had eyes for one another within the present company.

Christine's tinkling laughter could be heard throughout, but finally he excused himself to rejoin the others.

Christine approached Bella with much more ease and confidence, "He really is a clever man."

[Bellatrix Black]

She shifted her attention between the pair of recruits and Lord Voldemort and Christine. She felt a sense of pride as she saw the two speaking, the Dark Lord looking pleased with the young woman's responses. But every time Bella's eyes flicked toward them her sense of pride diminished slightly, replaced instead by a slowly growing sense of jealousy.

Why was Christine laughing like that? What were they saying? Why did her dark master seem so at ease with Christine?

Where time passed quickly for Christine, it seemed to draw out for Bellatrix. She heaved a huge sigh of relief when the pair finally broke apart and Bella had to shake her head to clear her thoughts before Christine met her. 

"I knew you'd think so," she said with slightly less honey in her voice than before.

[Christine Montgomery]

Conversation was flowing freely, everyone seemed at ease. There were a few lingering glances between Christine and Bella's precious master, but nothing overt unless you were keenly aware as Bella undoubtedly was.

Christine couldn't help herself. She was still in love with Dorian, somewhere in her confused heart. But she was healing and moving on with Alek who had also claimed a piece of her soul, but the dark connection she felt with Voldemort had nothing to do with romance and everything to do with a lust for power. They were almost kindred spirits, yin and yang. Christine was a little flushed with excitement, helped by the wine she had been offered.

At the natural conclusion of the evening Christine was reluctant to leave though the other two had long since gone. She suddenly looked at the clock then both of them, "Oh my, I'm so sorry, the time just ran away."

[Bellatrix Black]

Fiona had left first, followed shortly after by Arnold. Christine lingered and Bellatrix was loathe to leave the girl alone with her Master. She persisted even after her cheeks grew sore from the extra effort of keeping a pleasant appearance and smiling as she spoke. She had caught every fleeting glance and by the end of the night there was no more pride left in her heart as she looked between Lord Voldemort and Christine. The teenager didn't even seem properly awe-inspired by the fact that the Dark Lord had suggested she call him "Tom". Such familiarity was reserved for only the most intimate of the inner circle and Bellatrix continued to show respect by using his proper titles when addressing her Dark Master.

When Christine finally hinted that it was time to leave, Bellatrix wasted no time at all. She smiled at the girl, the muscles in her cheeks screaming from such unfamiliar and extensive use. "Well, when you're in good company that tends to happen. Perhaps I should escort you home," she looked pointedly at Christine's empty wine glass. "The streets aren't as safe as they soon will be, and us girls have to stick together."

[Lord Voldemort]

He did not get to where he was without being a master at observation. He cleverly observed the young Montgomery and was pleasantly surprised to find her passion reminded him of himself when he were a younger wizard. He was also aware of Bella's increasing despair. It amused him.

When Christine hinted at the later hour he too recalled the matters of import he had delayed for this meeting.

Patience was his strength, and in time the young Miss Montgomery would make a fine addition to his ranks.

"Yes, we all must look out for one another."

[Bellatrix Black]

Bella looked at Lord Voldemort as he spoke, just as she always did. She nodded, taking in every word as if his simple statement was some eloquent speech. She loved him beyond reason and feared him just as much, but kept both of these emotions hidden from Christine.

Giving her master one last look, hoping to see some sign of approval, she smiled. Then she turned to Christine.

[Lord Voldemort]

They exchanged proper goodbyes, a firm hand shake that lingered just a little too long, and a subtle flirtatious look in the eye as he said goodbye to a promising pupil.

He gave a firm nod in Bella's direction, giving her the approval she so eagerly sought out. But his last look wasn't for Bella, it was for Christine.